By the time they returned to the Lord's Mansion, it was still early.
Yao Zi jumped down from the Flying Sword. After steadying herself, she turned and waved at Xiao Yun. "Goodbye, senior brother. I'm going to the back courtyard to cultivate."
Without saying anything else, she turned and headed west along the corridor.
Xiao Yun did not call after her or ask what she planned to cultivate. Only after watching her disappear into the distance did he turn toward his Study Room.
Shui Yue'er was already waiting outside the Study Room. She wore a dark blue short jacket today, with a thin leather belt around her waist, looking less leisurely than usual.
Xiao Yun did not waste time on pleasantries and spoke directly. "According to the previous plan, we'll inspect the Coastal Defense Batteries first."
Shui Yue'er naturally had no objections and followed him to the carriage yard of the Lord's Mansion.
The Lord's exclusive carriage had long been waiting in the yard. Xiao Yun reached out and pulled Shui Yue'er up into it.
Under the escort of the Lord's guard team—Huo Wushuang, Feng Xiaotian, and the others—the carriage immediately headed toward the defensive artillery batteries on either side of the city.
There were two Coastal Defense Batteries in total, located at the ends of the two peninsulas extending into the sea on either side of Dragon Ascending Town, arranged along the curve of the bay.
They reached the North Battery first. It stood atop a seaside cliff, more than ten zhang above the water, with an expansive view that covered the entire entrance to the bay. The main structure was built from grayish-white stone in a semicircle, its opening facing the sea.
The cliff-facing wall was over a meter thick. Observation ports and cannon firing positions had been